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New Poll Shows Americans Attitudes Toward Spanish Speakerss |
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Thursday, 11 October 2007 |
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Spanish speaking in the United States is
widespread and a new ABC News Poll shows that Spanish-speaking in everyday situations is
accepted by two-thirds of Americans who come into contact with those who speak
Spanish. But a third who experience this language difference are troubled
by it – and they have distinctly more negative attitudes about immigrants and
Hispanics generally. Just 10 percent of Americans admit to prejudice against
Hispanics – far fewer than the number who, in previous polls, have
self-reported prejudice on the basis of race or against Arabs and Muslims.
Nonetheless,
a third of those who encounter Spanish speakers say it bothers them. Being
bothered by Spanish isn’t affected by how often people hear it, meaning other
factors are at play. People bothered by Spanish, instead, are those who are
more apt to call for stricter immigration rules and to have negative views on
immigration generally, particularly on illegal immigration. (This survey, it
should be noted, was done in English.) According to the poll, Americans are conflicted
about the immigration issue. On one hand, only 20% say the government is doing
enough to keep illegal immigrants out of the country; on the other, most, 58
percent, favor a path to citizenship for those here now – a program giving
illegal immigrants the right to legal status if they pay a fine and meet other
requirements. ABC NEWS GOOD MORNING AMERICA POLL
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 25 October 2007 )
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